Travel thread 3.0

[Zatara]

Most pleasant gulf state by far. Much more chilled out and less in your face than neighbours. Also much greener than other places nearby...I was in Salalah during monsoon season one year and it was like a rain forest...you wouldn't have known you were in Arabia.

Yes it looks like theyve a variety of natural scenery and of course the ocean.

There will be a train connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman 'soon' so i am expecting many people in Dubai will have a 2nd home in Oman (also Saadiyat) for the nature.

Stayed in Muscat for 2 weeks, during the World Cup 2022. Flew into Qatar for the games. I’d also previously visited all the emirates for work.

Totally different to Dubai etc, no high rise towers. The problem I found with Muscat, is that it’s a mega strip city. It hugs the coast, constrained by the mountains behind it.

Consequently, everywhere was miles away from anywhere. Very few western entertainment venues, compared to Dubai. But alcohol was available, in enough places to make it tolerable.

The people were superb, I thought it was far more authentic than any of the the Emirates.

The airport is like a Taj Mahal, massive empty and with a deserted expressway into town.

I reckon it would be superb, certainly weather wise, but the further you are from Muscat, the more “rural” and non western it will be.

Yes Muscat (obviously having never been there) seems a bit odd in terms of the layout.

Looking at the map, to the left of the airport isnt quite as nice as to the right. Then, beyond that im seeing places located in Muscat that seem quite a distance away.

Seems like you (as an investor) have a choice of living in a new purpose built development with a varying degree of luxury and location quality - and distance to Muscat.

Muscat was nice and the people were friendly. Everywhere seems to need a car/taxi to get to though and it isn't really convenient to live there in my opinion. But then I'm used to living in a bustling 24/7 city...

There isn't much in the way of shopping and Western food is mostly limited to an unbelievable amount of American fast food chains.

I wouldn't want to live there. I'm not sure about the short-term rental opportunities as many tourists seem to use Muscat as a base before heading to the desert. I think you'd need a high volume of guests to make it interesting and unless they invest heavily to attract people that will be difficult.

Oh, theyre definitely investing more than heavily.

There is massive investment going into Oman and there are developments like St Regis, Mandarin Oriental, Marriott, Trump selling hotel apartments + huge numbers of villa projects for sale + so many apartments going up.

Its really insane how much theyre building over there. There must be a reason for it.

I think if i was over there for any length of time id be more inclined to see a mcdonalds or a pint as a delicacy and stick to the more local stuff.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

I think what Zat really wants to know about are the sex tourism opportunities.

 

[verreauxi]

Here is one reporter's take on Dubai(??):

I went to Dubai wrongheaded. I learnt nothing and left nauseated. I had thought it would be fun – funny, even – to experience the disorientation of standing at the pivot point between two world systems. Instead, it was merely disorientating – sickeningly so. There are hells on earth and Dubai is one: an infernal creation born of the worst of human tendencies. Its hellishness cannot be laid solely at the feet of the oligarchs, whose wealth it attracts, nor the violent organised criminals who relocate there to avoid prosecution. It is hellish because, as the self-appointed showtown of free trade, it provides normal people with the chance to buy the purest form of the most heinous commodity: the exploitation of others. If you want to know how it feels to have slaves, in the modern world – and not be blamed openly for this desire – visit Dubai. But know that you will not be blameless for doing so. Every Instagram post, every TikTok video, every gloating WhatsApp message sent from its luxury is an abomination. A PR campaign run by those who have already bought the product, and now want only to show you that they can afford it.

More here

 

[Bkk Andy]

Here is one reporter's take on Dubai(??):

I went to Dubai wrongheaded. I learnt nothing and left nauseated. I had thought it would be fun – funny, even – to experience the disorientation of standing at the pivot point between two world systems. Instead, it was merely disorientating – sickeningly so. There are hells on earth and Dubai is one: an infernal creation born of the worst of human tendencies. Its hellishness cannot be laid solely at the feet of the oligarchs, whose wealth it attracts, nor the violent organised criminals who relocate there to avoid prosecution. It is hellish because, as the self-appointed showtown of free trade, it provides normal people with the chance to buy the purest form of the most heinous commodity: the exploitation of others. If you want to know how it feels to have slaves, in the modern world – and not be blamed openly for this desire – visit Dubai. But know that you will not be blameless for doing so. Every Instagram post, every TikTok video, every gloating WhatsApp message sent from its luxury is an abomination. A PR campaign run by those who have already bought the product, and now want only to show you that they can afford it.

More here

I'm not huge fan of Dubai but this "reporter" really thrives in OTT nonsense.

 

[jaybx1878]

Went to Iguazu Falls today, absolutely incredible, probably the best thing ive ever seen

 

[jaybx1878]

Went to Sao Paulo to see Oasis on Sunday also, the scale of the city is huge, skyscrapers as far as they eye can see, we were a little nervous about security before we went but it was sound, the brazilians couldn't have been nicer tbf

 

[leslad]

On the trail in Tenerife, walking Vilaflor - Cañadas - Portillo - Orotava. ten miles done, another twenty five to go. El Teide (above) appearing yesterday after a big climb was a euphoric moment after some hard graft.

 

[RufusCat]

View attachment 334728
On the trail in Tenerife, walking Vilaflor - Cañadas - Portillo - Orotava. ten miles done, another twenty five to go. El Teide (above) appearing yesterday after a big climb was a euphoric moment after some hard graft.

I love walking in the lava fields, some years since I have been to the Vilaflor area which is stunning. Will be going back in March but more likely to walk in the paths below Chinyero which is somewhat easier and accessible by bus from where I will be staying in Los Gigantes.

 

[leslad]

I love walking in the lava fields, some years since I have been to the Vilaflor area which is stunning. Will be going back in March but more likely to walk in the paths below Chinyero which is somewhat easier and accessible by bus from where I will be staying in Los Gigantes.

I have never been. I will have to look out for those places. Have a great time, it's a wonderful landscape

 

[jaybx1878]

Been in Rio the last few days, had a great time, another place where the 'danger' propoganda has been massively overplayed, the people we have encountered couldn't have been nicer, went to the Maracana last night to watch Fluminense and they destroyed Sao Paulo 6-0, if we can get half of the atmosphere from there in BM we will be laughing, bouncing from minute 1.

 

[Bkk Andy]

Just booked Vienna for the week before Xmas. It's a beautiful city but I've never been in winter and want to take the wife to some Christmas markets.

 

[WA Toffee]

Been in Rio the last few days, had a great time, another place where the 'danger' propoganda has been massively overplayed, the people we have encountered couldn't have been nicer, went to the Maracana last night to watch Fluminense and they destroyed Sao Paulo 6-0, if we can get half of the atmosphere from there in BM we will be laughing, bouncing from minute 1.

Who goes to see big jesus and doesn't stand with their arms out????

If you haven't been to Lapa arches for a caipirinha and fiesta yet, make sure you do. The vendors set up Friday and Saturday nights.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

Been in Rio the last few days, had a great time, another place where the 'danger' propoganda has been massively overplayed, the people we have encountered couldn't have been nicer, went to the Maracana last night to watch Fluminense and they destroyed Sao Paulo 6-0, if we can get half of the atmosphere from there in BM we will be laughing, bouncing from minute 1.

@Mr Mig this may be of interest to you.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

Just booked Vienna for the week before Xmas. It's a beautiful city but I've never been in winter and want to take the wife to some Christmas markets.

I've been in feb. Outdoor ice rinks, the lot. Layer up though, was bitter.

 

[jaybx1878]

Who goes to see big jesus and doesn't stand with their arms out????

If you haven't been to Lapa arches for a caipirinha and fiesta yet, make sure you do. The vendors set up Friday and Saturday nights.